Uwazi

Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRD Alliance) condemns the cold-blooded murder of an environmental rights defender in Dhanusha district of the Tarai region, Nepal. The 24year-old Om Prakash Mahato was crushed to death by a tipper owned by a crusher company on 10 January 2020 while protesting the illegal extraction of river materials from a river located near his village. We call on the authorities to set up a parliamentary inquiry into the illegal extraction of river materials, review of existing regulations and for the company to provide compensation to the family.

CASE DETAILS On 10 January 2020, Om Prakash Mahato, who goes by the nickname ‘Dilip’, 24, of Mithila Municipality-5, Dhanusha district, was killed while he was protesting the illegal extraction of the riverbed materials from Aurahi River located near his village Shreepur Tol. The night before the incident, someone had informed Dilip that aggregates (sand and stones) were going to be extracted illegally from Aurahi river. Before he left toward the river, at around 4 am, he did not inform his family but he informed the ward chairperson by mobile phone that he was going there to confront the crusher company. His friend, Roshan Yadav, accompanied Dilip. Dhanusha District Police Chief Ramesh Kumar Basnet told the media: “He was manhandled, stabbed in the right side of his stomach with an iron lever, his body was then laid on the river bed, and run over by a truck (number Na 7 Kha 6413). We are further investigating the matter.”1 Meanwhile, Dilip’s family members told THRDA monitors that the contractors intentionally killed him. They informed that Dilip had earlier arguments with local contractors – Janak Mahato, Lochan Mahato and Bipin Mahato – who had threatened to kill him for opposing river extraction.

BACKGROUND Aurahi River lies in Mithila Municipality. The municipality awarded a contract of NPR 40.51 million to local contractors to extract river materials from the Aurahi river. The locals and farmers opposed the extraction of river materials from the deep riverbed which was beyond the permissible limit mentioned in the contract. The contactors were illegally extracting the river materials. The local farmers, including Dilip, whose fields adjoin the river, had been protesting the illegal extraction of the river materials by the contactors since it started two years ago. Dilip had repeatedly received death threats from the contractors throughout this period. He had repeatedly gotten into disputes with the owners and employees of the Churiyamai Sand Processing Centre. When Dilip did not stop his campaign against the crusher company, contractors tried to bribe him but he continued to oppose the illegal mining. The death of Dilip, who was the eldest son, is a major loss to the family. He was expected to work as an engineer soon. He was an engineering student at a university in Bhopal, India and had recently taken the final exams. He had come home to spend his vacation with his family. His parents have worked hard to pay for his tuition in India.

INVESTIGATION AND ACTION Police moved the body of Dilip for the post-mortem without preparing a crime scene report. Irate locals halted vehicle movement on the Mahendra Nagar Highway to protest it. They also demanded a stringent punishment for the killers of Dilip. On 11 January 2020, Dilip’s family lodged the First Information Report (FIR) at the District Police Office of Dhanusha district. Police assured the family that they would investigate the incident impartially and punish those responsible for his death. In a press meeting organized on 11 January 2020, police said that they arrested four persons allegedly involved: 27-year-old Bipin Kumar Mahato (owner of Churiyamai Sand Processing Centre), 34-year-old Munindra Mahato (tipper driver), another driver Jitendra Kumar Mahato (24-years-old) of Bardibas Municipality, Mahato, and 27-year-old Roshan Kumar Yadav (his friend). In a meeting of the National Assembly held on 12 January 2020, lawmakers demanded legal action against the perpetrators2. The National Assembly members also urged the government to curb ongoing illegal extraction of riverbed materials. Meanwhile, Province 2 Government on 13 January announced the payment of an ex gratia of NPR 0.5 million to Dilip’s family. In a statement released on 12 January,3 the National Human Rights Commission called the authorities to carry out an impartial and effective investigation into the case.

CALL TO ACTION Given the contemporary political scenario, human rights defenders (HRDs) in Nepal are at risk while carrying out their work. The actions and controversial bills4 such as Media Council Bill, Information Technology Bill, Nepal Special Service Bill5 introduced by the government have created fear among HRDs. The government also proposed an amendment to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act 2012 which undermines the independence of NHRC as it gives the Attorney General powers to decide which cases recommended for prosecution by the NHRC are brought before the courts, and it also abolishes the power of the NHRC to maintain regional offices. About the situation of HRDs in Nepal, Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2020 mentions: The Home Ministry prepared draft legislation that will give the government powers to monitor and control the activity of all domestic and international organizations in Nepal. Human rights defenders feared that these powers will be used to harass activists, and to deny access to external funding for human rights work. As of now, Nepal does not have specific laws or policies on the protection of HRDs. In 2009, the human rights community had drafted a human rights defenders bill7. The bill is yet to be registered in the parliament. But the discussions on the bill are underway among human rights organizations. It is high time that the human rights community and national and international stakeholders lobby the government and policy makers to enact a law on HRDs’ security. The cold-blooded murder of the environmental rights defender sends a chilling message to those carrying out human rights work in Nepal. We urge the authorities to create a conducive environment for HRDs. Despite media reports and ongoing protests staged by locals, the illegal mining of river materials in the country continues unabated. Arguably, the nexus between the contractors and local government units and politicians is responsible for this. Once again, we call on the authorities to set up a parliamentary inquiry into the illegal extraction of river materials, review of existing regulations and for the company to provide compensation to the family.

On 10 January 2020, Om Prakash Mahato, environmental rights defender, was killed for protesting against illegal extractive operation by personnel of the extractive company in Dhanusha District, Nepal.

News chief at www.tukhabar.com (an online web-based portal) Balaram Pudasaini was misbehaved by a local Ramesh Gelal for reporting news on June 9 in Makwanpur district. The district lies in Bagmati Province of Nepal.

According to Freedom Forum's representative Rammani Dahal, journalist was reporting on difficulties farmers had to face while buying fertilizers in a place at Hetauda. In the meantime, Gelal pushed him back and verbally abused him without any reason in the presence of police officers.

Later, Police arrested Gelal and has charged him under indecent behavior following the complaint filed by journalist Pudasaini and other fellow journalists.

Freedom Forum condemns the misbehavior meted out to on-duty journalist. It is gross violation of press freedom and right to information. Abusing on-duty journalists who are working on field to make public informed about the social issues, even ignoring the possible risks of transmission of COVID19 is deplorable. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to punish the perpetrator and ensure free and safe reporting atmosphere for journalists.

On 10 June 2020, Balaram Pudasaini mediamworker, was assaulted and threatened by a local villager, and then later arrested by the police for covering farmers' issue in Makwanpur district, Nepal.

A peaceful programme in the Capital protesting the government's lacklustre response to the Covid-19 pandemic was met with water cannons and police batons.

Around 150 people had gathered in front of the prime minister's residence in Baluwatar at 10am on Tuesday, demanding that the government improve quarantine conditions and make wider use of the Polymerase Chain Reaction tests. They were also asking that the government come up with alternatives to the blanket lockdown imposed on the entire country since March 24.

The KP Sharma Oli government has long been criticised for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite an over two-month-long lockdown, coronavirus infections--and deaths-- continue to increase across the country. Thousands of people are in makeshift quarantine facilities that are themselves becoming hotspots for Covid-19 due to cramped conditions and a lack of basic sanitation facilities.

Calls to lift or ease the lockdown have increased too, with business owners defying orders to shutter their stores last Thursday. Many have also raised serious questions about the government�s failure to address the plight of the poor and the marginalised, who are suffering disproportionately from the lockdown after having lost jobs. There have already been a number of deaths that can attributed to the lockdown and its consequences.

The protest attempted to maintain physical distance with most attendees wearing masks and holding placards.

Though the protest was peaceful, police employed water cannons and batons to disperse the protesters. Some were taken into custody for breaking the lockdown.

�We had requested the police to give us 15 more minutes to sit in protest when the police charged," said Rohit Malla Shakya, 43, a businessman. "This is an indication that the government is getting more intolerant."

As images and videos of the protest and the police response began to circulate on social media, many called the police out for its disproportionate use of force.

�What a disgrace! This happened today during a peaceful socially distanced rally (at Baluwatar) urging the government to ramp up PCR tests and improve quarantine facilities,� said one user on Twitter. �Looks like the government cannot tolerate any form of protest that displays their incompetence.�

Senior Superintendent Shyam Gyawali, chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range, said that police used force to clear protesters who were disobeying lockdown orders.

�Besides, Baluwatar is a sensitive area and protests started to block the road that many VVIPs need to travel through,� Gyawali told the Post.

Protest attendees, however, said that they weren't blocking the road and were about to wrap up the protest when police resorted to a baton charge and water cannons.

�We were not blocking the road, and it was very peaceful,� said 21-year-old actor Anna Sharma.

Eight people were taken into custody by the police.

On 9 June 2020, over 150 community-based defenders protesting against Government handling of COVID-19 pandemic were attacked with water cannons, batons by the police, and eight were taken into custody in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Freedom Forum condemns the arrest of Alam Khan, a human rights activist and a member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists. He was held for writing on Facebook about the ill administration owing to the death of a person due to Covid-19 on the 20th of May, 2020. He was arrested in Banke, Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj lies in province no. 5.

According to FF's representative of province n. 5 Sudip Gautam, Alam's arrest was done by District Police Office in Nepalgunj. He was kept at the district police office for the whole day before releasing him on the condition that he appears in the police office on a daily basis. On his Facebook status, Alam also wrote that the dead person should be declared a Martyr and be compensated indicating that the mismanagement of administration caused the death.

Upon inquiry, Alam said even though no one had lodged a complaint against him, the police had arrested him.

Since the day of the arrest, Alam has been present at the Police Office on Thursday and has been told to be present every day.

Freedom Forum strongly criticizes the misuse of power by the police who have been troubling the activist who writes and advocates about the mismanagement around the COVID-19 situation. While in fact the authorities should be coordinating and collaborating with the activists inorder to enforce positive changes in the community and utilize their community reach, on the contrary, police have been unnecessarily targeting these activists to silence them. Freedom Forum urges the police headquarter to monitor the misuse of power in the local level and enforce ethical practice within the police offices. FF also urges the police offices to be mindful and respect the Free Speech which every Nepali citizen is constitutionally entitled to.

On 20 May 2020, Alam Khan, media worker, was arrested by the police for online criticising the Goverment maladministration of the pandemic in Banke, Nepal.

A hospital staff issued death threat to Journalist Shital Sah, director at Radio Janakpur on May 13 in Dhanusha. Dhanusha lies in Province 2 of Nepal.

As per information provided by FF's representative Rajan Singh, Journalist Sah had broadcasted news about negligence and irregularities at COVID-19 testing lab in Janakpur Provincial hospital. Following this, hospital's junior staff Jugal Yadav and his two friends reached radio station and threatened the journalist to death for reporting the news.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is sheer violation of press freedom. Reporting news about irregularities and issues of public concern is the right of journalists secured by Nepal's constitution. FF strongly urges the hospital authority to adopt legitimate way for any dissatisfaction on news and respect journalists' rights thereby, ensuring citizen's access to right to information.

On 13 May 2020, Shital Sah, media worker, received death threats by hosiptal staff after reporting its negligence and irregularities in Dhanusha District, Nepal.

Security officials misbehaved journalist Prem Nepali while reporting on May 5 in Kaski. Kaski lies in Gandaki Province.

Journalist Nepali is associated with Hour Tv.

According to Freedom Forum's representative for Gandaki Province, Rajan Upadhyaye, journalist Nepali was reporting about complaint filed on ethnic discrimination at District Police Office, Kaski. A group of dalit representative along with Mohan Sunar who filed complaint were at office to know about the status of complaint, but they were misbahved by the police. While capturing footage of misbehavior to Dalit representatives journalist Nepali was also treated badly and Police Inspector snatched journalist's camera.

Moreover, Inspector Deepak KC aggressively responded to journalist who said that it is not allowed to capture footage without the consent of police.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent of Police Dan Bahadur Karki claimed that complaint filed on ethnic discrimination is under investigation and journalist was not treated badly while inquiring about the case.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is a gross violation of press freedom and right to information. Reporting on social issues and exposing exposing irregularities is the prior duty of journalists. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to address the issue seriously respecting the rights of journalists and citizen�s right to information.

On 5 May 2020, Prem Nepali, media worker, was harassed, his camera snatched by the police for reporting a case of Dalit discrimination in Kaski District, Nepal.

Govinda KC, Dailekh correspondent to Nagarik National Daily was verbally abused and threatened of attack for reporting on April 27. Dailekh is situated in Karnali Province of Nepal.

FF's representative Laxmi Bhandari reported that reporter KC was threatened by a canteen owner Chhatra Thapa for writing news about irregularities of Narayan Municipality, Dailekh. The news entitled- irregularities on purchase of relief materials- was published on Nagarik daily on April 22.

Following news publication, municipality's canteen owner Thapa abused reporter KC at public place saying why and at what expense the news report was made.

Representative Bhandari further stated that Thapa had even called goons to attack the reporter. However, police took Thapa under control later.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is violation of press freedom and lauds police action to arrest the accused. Despite the availability of legitimate ways to express dissatisfaction over published news contents, local authority's action to harass journalist is deplorable. Hence, FF urges the concerned authority to resort lawful ways and respect journalists right to free reporting.

On 27 April 2020, Govinda KC, media worker, was intimidated by a business owner for reporting irregularities on relief material purchasing in Narayan Municipality, Nepal.

Journalists Manoj Mourbait and Sibendra Rohita were attacked on April 18 (Friday) at 8 PM on Kohalpur of Sahitnagar Municipality-9, Dhanusha. The duo journalists were assaulted by a gang of five on their way home from reporting about the COVID-19. Their laptop and camera were also seized. Dhanusha district lies in province no. 2.

Mourbait and Rohita are reporters to Janakpur Today and www.khojkendra.com (a web-based news portal) operated from Dhanusha district.

According to FF's representative Rajan Singh, a group of five people beat the duo which resulted in a deep cut in the head of journalist Rohita. Maurbait has also sustained injury due to the beating. Furthermore, they pointed towards Mayor Udaya Barbariya of Sahidnagar municipality who ordered such an attack. The duo has been admitted in Janakpur Zonal Hospital.

Rohita said, "On Friday we were making a report about the Quarantine facility of Sahid Nagar. These facilities are in a worrisome state with no proper service in place." To learn about the municipality's position on this issue, they visited the municipality office. Shortly after that, he ordered to launch an attack.

In the past too, the mayor Barbariya had threatened the Journalist Mourbait for writing news against his administration. The duo had been disclosing about the mismanagement of funds by the Barbariya's administration.

On 18 April 2020, Manoj Mourbait and Sibendra Rohita, media workers, were beaten up by a group of unknown assailants for reportig about COVID-19 in Kohalpur, Nepal.

Reporter to Annapurna Post national daily Raj Karan Mahato and the camera person Bibek Mahato were threatened while reporting on illegal mining in Mahottari on April 16. Mahottari lies in Province 2.

Freedom Forum's representative Rajan Singh reported that the reporters were taking videos and pictures of illegal excavation in a local river during lockdown. In the meantime, four people arrived on their motorbikes and chased away the reporters.

There reporters however escaped the attack and called local police for protection. A team led by Police Inspector Prakash Regmi reached the place to protect reporters.

Freedom Forum condemns the attempt to attack reporters. Journalists reporting on corruption and illegal activities always face intimidation. Such incidents are representative cases of press freedom violation which create panic among working journalists and induce censorship. Hence, FF strongly urges the local authority and security body to ensure safety to the journalists thereby, helping protect press freedom rights.

On 16 April 2020, Raj Karan Mahato and Bibek Mahato, media workers, were threatened for reporting ongoing mining operations during lockdown by mining workers in Mahottari, Nepal.

Simara Police Office arrested journalist Rabindra Gautam for alleged spread of misleading information via his Facebook handle. He was held under cybercrime charge in Hetauda on April 14. Hetauda lies in Province 3.

Journalist Gautam is associated with Sarobar F.M.

As per Freedom Forum representative for Province 3, Rammani Dahal, journalist Gautam was arrested for allegedly posting fake information on Facebook status which simply stated: "Three Indian nationalities are detected with the Coronavirus infections in Birgunj Metropolitan City of Parsa district. The districts such as Parsa, Bara, Rautahat among others should adopt high precautionary measures. There is no reason to worry. The districts of the Terai region are safe. Let's not be terrorized instead follow the government's decision.''

Although the journalist posted information urging for precaution on the coronavirus, the police wrongfully held him and harassed unnecessarily.

A day later, after the pressure from media persons and FoE organizations that journalist had not spread misinformation, the police released him with Rs. 2000 as bail amount a day later.

Freedom Forum condemns the arrest of journo Gautam as it is a severe violation of freedom of expression. Nepal�s constitution itself guarantees the right to freedom of expression. Journo must not be treated as a criminal for posting an opinion on social media platforms.

FF urges the concerned authority to respect civil rights and demands the immediate release of Gautam.

On 14 April 2020, Rabindra Gautam, media worker, was arrested by the police for allegedly spreading fake news on COVID-19 in Hetauda, Nepal.

Publisher/ editor of a news portal, www.prabhavnews.com, Uttam Chaulagain was issued death threat for publishing news about a political leader on April 5. The online portal is run from Khotang, a district in Province 1 of Nepal.

According to FF's representative Bikram Niraula, Chaulagain had published news about NC Chair Naresh Kumar Shrestha's obstruction to keep Covid-19 suspects in quarantine far away from community.

Following this, Chair Shrestha had threatened, "You will see the journalist in the next meeting. You may also lose his life for writing such news."

In response to Covid-19 pandemic, Nepal's government has asked the suspected patients to stay in quarantine to minimize the risk of transmission.

At a time when free flow of information is important to keep public informed such incidents obstruct journalists from performing their duty. Freedom Forum condemns the violation of press freedom and right to information.

On 5 April 2020, Uttam Chaulagain, media worker, receives death threats from local government representative after criticising the handling of COVID-19 in Khotang, Nepal.

Ajayababu Shiwakoti, the general secretary of the Nepal Press Union (NPU), received threats for his reporting on an alleged bribery scandal involving Nepal’s minister of communications and information technology. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates the Nepal Press Union (NPU) and the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FJN) call on authorities to immediately ensure Shiwakoti’s safety.

Shiwakoti is the editor in chief of www.hamrakura.com, which published a story on February 20, linking an audio recording alleged to be that of the minister, Gokul Prasad Baskota, negotiating with Bijay Prakash Mishra, a Nepal agent of a Swiss equipment supplier on the printing of passports and other sensitive material. The recording suggested the minister would receive NPR 700,000,000 (USD 6,000,000) commission for the deal. Following the release of the two-and-a-half-minute audio recording and subsequent news coverage, the minister resigned from his post on February 21.

After Shiwakoti’s reporting on the ministerial scandal, NPU said unidentified persons had put the journalist’s residence and his activities under surveillance. The journalist also said he received indirect threats from social media and, as a result, was “cautious” and “semi-underground”.

Shiwakoti previously received threats on September 30, 2019, after publishing a reportalleging a female member of the parliamentary staff was sexually harassed by the then house-speaker, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who later resigned from his post.

Journalists in Nepal express serious concern to the security situation of Shiwakoti.

NPU said: “Such a threat to an investigative journalist who is committed to make the authorities accountable is really pathetic. We demand the government of Nepal and concerned stakeholders to ensure constitutionally-enshrined press freedoms and urge it to create a more conducive environment for the practice of independent journalism.”

The IFJ said: “We urge threats to Shiwakoti to be taken with the seriousness they deserve and for a response from Nepal’s government to underline its commitment to press freedom and to show the necessary support for protecting journalists in Nepal.”

From 25 February 2020, Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti, media worker, received online threats by social media users and was surveilled by unknown persons after reporting a bribery scandal leading to a minister resignation in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Police arrested 12 senior human rights activists and members of civil society from outside Shital Niwas while they were staging protest against election of murder-accused Agni Prasad Sapkota for the post of speaker of the House of Representatives.

The activists were arrested before Sapkota took the oath of office and secrecy from President Bidhya Devi Bhandari.

The arrested are: Mahamuniswar Acharya, Purnimaya Lama, Janak Raut, Alina Gautama, Nirajan Thapaliya, Bipin Budhathoki, Sankar Budathoki, Bal Krishna Ghimire, Jesselina Rana, Prasanta Tripathi, Rajan Kuikel and Charan Prasai. All the arrestees were released in the evening.

Activists had been staging protest against the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)’s decision to nominate murder-accused Sapkota for the post of speaker, for the last six days. Sapkota was elected speaker of the HoR unopposed yesterday.

Activists during today’s protest programme displayed placards that read, ‘End Impunity’, ‘Respect Rule of Law’ and ‘Respect Human Rights’.

Among the activists arrested today was Purnimaya Lama, who had accused speaker Sapkota and six others of murdering her husband Arjun Lama in August 2005, during the conflict era in Kavre district. Sapkota’s case is sub judice at the Supreme Court.

Human rights activist Charan Prasai said their protest and legal fight to establish truth would not stop. “We will continue our fight for justice seeking support from international communities,” Prasai said.

On 27 January 2020, a group of 12 HRDs including WHRDs were temporarily arrested by the police for staging a protest in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Editor of Rekhdekh Weekly and Treasurer of Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ) Prabir Dadel, 30, a resident of Musikot Municipality-13 has accused Ward Chairperson Dipak KC, 37, of threatening him on October 25.

Dadel accused KC of attempting to manhandle him in connection with a news report published about corruption in Rekhdekh Weekly. KC threatened the journalist after his name was also mentioned in the report about the corruption. Dadel has filed an oral complaint against KC at District Police Office and District Administration Office.

On 25 October 2019, Prabir Dadel, journalist, was threatened by a local administrator, over a report he published on a corruption case in Mukisot, Nepal.

Journalists were protesting against the sacking of three journalists from Radio Nepal in Doti on Monday. Radio Nepal is the government-owned radio. The three journalists were sacked without any prior notice or administrative work.

NPU and FNJ were demanding the reinstatement of the journalists’ jobs during the protests. At 2pm nine union leaders, including Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti, NPU general secretary, Ram Prasad Dahal, FNJ secretary, Janmadev Jaisi, Yam Birahi, Min Bam, FNJ central committee, Dilip Paudel, NPU central committee, Chakra Kuwar, NPU Doti Branch Vice President, Yogendra Balayar, FNJ Doti Branch President and Prakash Bam, NPU Doti Branch President were arrested. They were detained for three hours, and released at 5pm.

NPU general secretary Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti said: “NPU condems the removal of three journalists from Doti from their job and demands their immediate restoration into their job. We also demand that government create an environment that is conducive to the freedom of expression, a guaranteed provision in the constitution.

Government is dealing harshly with the working journalists so that they do not feel safe to report against the government independently. Latest detentions of journalists show the intention of the government toward journalists and journalism in Nepal.”

The IFJ said: “The arrest of nine union leaders and journalists for simply protesting the sacking of their colleagues is a deplorable act by Nepali authorities and threatens press freedom and right to association in the country. Journalists in Nepal are working in a volatile environment where they do not feel safe to report. This kind of environment only weakens press freedom and ultimately Nepal’s democracy.”

Update on September 23, 2019:

Federation of Nepali journalist (FNJ), Central Committee has picketed all the broadcasting stations of Radio Nepal in all seven provinces, demanding the reinstatement of the working journalist removed from Radio Nepal Deepayal broadcasting centre. At Kathmandu, Bipul Pokhrel, Vice president of FNJ led the protest. The FNJ has warned the government that it will continue agitating broadcast stations until journalists are reinstated. The government is taking away the job of journalists on the basis of political faith.

Addressing the protest, Vice President Pokhrel warned the government not to play down FNJ. He said "journalists were fired from the job, and that this act confirmed that the administration and executive director of Radio Nepal were irresponsible.” He said that the expelled journalists should be immediately reinstated, adding that the FNJ would be forced to embark on a more powerful movement.

FNJ General Secretary Ramesh Bista urged the Minister of Communication and Information Technology Gokul Baskota, who himself was a journalist in the past, to remember that 'we had struggled together'. He warned that the FNJ would go against it if the government moved in a non-democratic manner.

The FNJ has been protesting for reinstatement of Sunita Rawal, Prakash Bam and Chakra Kunwar, who were fired by Radio Broadcasting Development Committee last August. Representatives of different media organizations and a significant number of journalists participated in the program. Central members of FNJ led the protests outside Kathmandu.

On 9 September 2019, nine union leaders were arrested by the police in Doti, Nepal, for prtesting against the firing of nine joirnalists of the Nepali government-owned radio.

Police on Monday arrested more than a dozen Women's Rights Activists who picketed the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Nepal. The women's rights activists picketed the Embassy saying that hundreds of Nepali women were being sold as wives in China.

Women's Rights Activist Sita Jyoti said they picketed the Embassy to draw the attention of the Chinese foreign minister who is currently on a visit to Nepal towards this problem.

On 9 September 2019, over a dozen WHRDs were arrested by the police for protesting in front of the Embassy of the Popular Republic of China in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Human Rights Watch - The Nepal authorities should immediately withdraw sedition charges and unconditionally release rights campaigner Chandra Kant Raut, who was arrested for his expression of peaceful political opinions. Nepal should amend its practices to comply with international and domestic standards to protect freedom of expression. Raut was arrested on September 14, 2014, for allegedly advocating that the southern plains of Nepal, known as the Terai, be allowed to secede from the rest of the country as part of a long-standing debate on state restructuring. On October 8 he was charged with sedition, presumably under the Crime against State and Punishment Act 1989, which forbids any "attempts to cause any disorder with an intention to jeopardise sovereignty, integrity or national unity of Nepal." It carries a penalty of life imprisonment. Police also said that Raut has written articles and books advocating secession by Madhesis, the Terai community. There is no evidence that Raut advocated the use of violence, or that his actions led to violence. "Many Nepalis have recently struggled to break out of feudal structures and ensure democratic rights," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a good democracy. But the government is going after an activist expressing concerns about marginalized communities from the Terai." Nepali politicians have long been drawn largely from the upper-caste hill tribes. Following the ceasefire agreement of 2006 after a 10-year civil war, the country embarked on a constitution-writing process which promised inclusion for traditionally marginalized communities, including from the Terai. Central to the promise of inclusion was the pledge to re-draw the state to create provinces or regions without giving dominance to the upper-caste hill tribes. However, the constitution remains in limbo as political parties have failed to come to a consensus. The debate has been filled with anxiety that the Terai, which runs east to west along Nepal's porous border with India and is a critical transit for trade in the land-locked country, will seek greater autonomy. Raut, formerly a US resident, returned to Nepal in 2011, and leads a group that seeks to establish an independent Madhesh in the area. "Raut's call for an independent Terai has to be understood in the historical and political context in which the discussion on state restructuring is occurring," said Adams. "His arrest threatens the chances of a robust debate on federalism, and undermines the promise of inclusion. Raut's arrest shows that minority voices can and will be easily sidelined." Nepal is a state party signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to free expression. Any limits placed on free expression must be set out clearly in domestic law, be nondiscriminatory in impact and must be strictly necessary for national security or public order. The authorities have not produced any evidence that Raut's peaceful call for an independent Terai was a threat to national security or public order that could justify his arrest. "Instead of releasing Raut for lack of a genuine threat, the authorities decided to justify their arrest by slapping sedition laws against him, nearly a month later," said Adams. "Such laws are typically used by repressive regimes to control critical speech, and it appears that Nepal has decided to go down this unseemly route."

On 8th October 2014, rights activist Chandra Kant Raut was charged with sedition for allegedly advocating that the southern plains of Nepal, known as the Terai, be allowed to secede from the rest of the country as part of a long-standing debate on state restructuring. The charge carries a penalty of life imprisonment. The authorities have not produced any evidence that Raut's peaceful call for an independent Terai was a threat to national security or public order that could justify his arrest.

13/06/2013 Joint Urgent Appeal by the the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences. We would like to draw the attention of your Excellency's Government to information we have received regarding the violent dispersal by law enforcement authorities of peaceful demonstrations organized by Kamlari activists, with a view to ensuring accountability for the killing of a 12-year old Kamlari girl in Dang in March 2013, and protesting more generally against the Kamaiya traditional system of bonded labour in place in several parts of Nepal. According to the information received: From 31 May to 2 June 2013, around 60 freed Kamlaris were reportedly holding a peaceful sit-in protest in front of the southern gate of the Singh Durbar, the Chief Administrative Center in Kathmandu, when they were violently dispersed by the police. According to reports, police officers beat the protestors with batons, punched and kicked them, causing serious injuries to their heads, arms, and shoulders. 10 protestors reportedly fell unconscious, and 8 sustained minor injuries who were treated in different hospitals. It is further reported that 8 female protestors were sexually assaulted by police forces who beat them on their breasts and genitals. 42 protestors were arrested in the course of the police operation, and released after five hours . It is also reported that some police officers stole money and jewelries from the protestors. On 3 June 2013, police forces brutally dispersed a peaceful protest by Kamlari activists in Dang. Four activists lost consciousness, and others were severely injured. On 4 June 2013, three and six Kamlari protestors were reportedly injured by the police in Kailai and Kanchanpur respectively when the police dispersed peaceful demonstrations in which they were taking part. 50 protestors were arrested in Kanchanpur, and subsequently released in the evening. Grave concerns are expressed that the excessive use of force against, and the arrest and detention of, peaceful Kamlari protestors may be linked to their legitimate human rights activities, in the exercise of their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of opinion and expression. Further concerns are expressed for the physical and psychological integrity of Kamlari activists, in particular women defenders, who continue protesting throughout the country.

From 31 May to 4 June 2013, the police violently dispersed a series of peaceful protests held in Kathmandu, Dang, Kailai and Kanchanpur. The protests were organized by Kamlari activists to ensure accountability for the killing of a 12-year old Kamlari girl in Dang in March 2013. Moreover, Kamlari activists were protesting more generally against the Kamaiya traditional system of bonded labour in place in several parts of Nepal. In the course of the police operations, police officers detained, injured and sexually assaulted protesters.

Efforts by the BDS to gain approval for the renewal of its registration from the Kathmandu District Administrative Office, in particular the Chief District Officer, have been met with delays and continuous refusal over a protracted period It is reported that the Chief District Officer has so far raised two grounds on which to base his refusal to renew the organisation?s registration, namely:-a claim that the organisation?s Director, Mr. Sunil Babu Pant, had received a double salary, both as Director of the BDS and as a member of the Nepal Constituent Assembly. Reportedly, however, Mr. Pant has already returned the salary he received as a member of the Constituent Assembly; -a claim that a property belonging to the organisation had been registered in Mr. Pant?s name. Sources inform, however, that this was motivated by frequent difficulties experienced when registering properties in the name of organisations and that Mr. Pant had already signed an agreement with the BDS waiving any claims on the property. It is further reported that he is currently in the process of transferring ownership of the property in the organisation?s name. Although all documents needed to renew registration, including financial reports and progress reports, have been reportedly duly submitted by the BDS, no progress has been made on renewal of the registration. This has reportedly prompted the BDS to file a case in an appellate court. It is reported that as a consequence of the delays in renewing the registration, the organisation has been forced to start closing down all its operations, including the provision of essential care, support and treatment to individuals suffering from HIV.

The Blue Diamond Society (BDS), a Nepalese NGO involved in LGBT rights promotion and community support services, has had its registration applications repeatedly rejected by the Kathmandu District Administrative Office, as of 28 March 2013. Nepali authorities claim that the denial of registration is due to BDS' chair Sunil Babu Pant drawing a double salary and having BDS property registered in his name. Pant has reportedly returned his second salary, and it is thought that continued rejections are discrimination based on BDS' work. These events come in the context of an intensification of harassment of LGBT persons in Kathmandu. BDS has been forced to halt some of its operations due to the denial of registration renewal. On 28 March 2013, a Joint Urgent Appeal was sent by the the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.

The weekly magazine Lal Rakshak allegedly published an article containing various allegations against Ms. Sharma, Mr. Subodh Pyakhurel and Mr. Dixit, naming them as hostile to the Maoist political agenda and the peace process, as well as accusing them of crimes including corruption, labour exploitation and sexual violence. The article reportedly also mentioned Messrs. Sushil Pyakhurel, Charan Prasai and Kapil Shrestha. It is alleged that the Lal Rakshak article also contained a paragraph outlining the result of a survey the magazine had undertaken on what ought to be done about the persons named in the article. Reportedly, this included quotes by representatives stating that legal action against Ms. Sharma, Mr. Subodh Pyakhurel and Mr. Dixit would be fruitless due to their access to foreign funds, and that "people?s action" should be taken against them. "People?s action" in this context is understood to refer to punishment through violent attacks. It was allegedly used with this meaning during the violent conflict in Nepal during the 1990s and 2000s. Similar articles were allegedly printed in a number of local newspapers, including the 21 January 2013 edition of Gandaki Awaj (published in Pokhara), the 22 January 2013 edition of Taja Khabar (published in Rupandehi), and the online news portal Onlinekhabar. It is also alleged that calls for "people?s action" were repeatedly made on FMradio stations across Nepal against the above-mentioned members of AWC. Sources further inform that in an interview with Krishnasenonline, a Maoist-affiliated news portal, a spokesperson for the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN (Maoist) mentioned NGOs "who prefer dollars to the nation" and who had "called imperialist Britain to have Colonel Kumar Lama arrested" in exchange for dollars. The spokesperson allegedly made explicit mention of Ms. Sharma and the Advocacy Forum as having sent information to the British and so gotten Colonel Kumar Lama arrested. Reports have also been received of alleged harassment of Ms. Sharma and Advocacy Forum-Nepal. It is alleged that on 14 February 2013, Ms. Sharma received a warning from a government official that she should be careful, implying that the army might hinder Advocacy Forum?s work. In addition to this, Advocacy Forum reportedly received a letter from the District Administration Office soon after the arrest of Colonel Lama stating that an investigation would be undertaken against the organisation. Reportedly, a physical attack against Mr. Yadav Prasad Bastola took place on 28 February 2013, around 19:30, as he was walking back from Birendranagar to Vidhyapur Village Development Committee (VDC) -04, in Surkhet district, where he resides. Sources inform that as Mr. Bastola was walking through the jungle along this route, he noticed four unidentified persons following him, with covered faces.Two of the persons then reportedly blocked his way and proceeded to ask him whether he had written an article for the local newspaper ___Pahichen Daily?,consequently accusing him of "trying to send the Maoists to jail". It is alleged that the four persons were then joined by two other unidentified persons. They allegedly grabbed Mr. Bastola?s hand and neck and proceeded to beat his back with iron rods multiple times. Mr. Bastola reportedly fell to the ground while the beating with the iron rods continued and the assailants started to kick him with their boots. It is reported the assailants fled when two motorcycles approached the scene, allowing Mr. Bastola to escape. Sources inform that Mr. Bastola was helped by villagers and police in a nearby village and was consequently taken in a police van to the local hospital and later to Deuti Nursing Home for treatment. He was reportedly discharged the next day. It is reported that Mr. Bastola filed a First Information Report of the event on 1 March 2013 at the District Police Office in Surkhet. It is reported the police is still conducting an investigation.

In January and February 2013, Accountability Watch Committee (AWC) members -Ms. Mandira Sharma, who is also the Chairperson of the Advocacy Forum-Nepal, Mr. Subodh Pyakhurel, chairperson of the Informal Sector Services Centre (INSEC), Mr. Kanak Mani Dixit, journalist and editor of Himal magazine, Mr. Sushil Pyakhurel, former member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and currently Chair of AWC, Mr. Charan Prasai, Coordinator of the Joint Forum for Human Rights, and Mr. Kapil Shrestha, a former member of the NHRC- were subject to slander, intimidation, and harassment at the hands of Nepali authorities and unknown actors. In January, numerous state-aligned publications named them as hostil to Maoism and called for 'people's action' to be taken against them. Subsequently, they faced warnings from army officials, investigation, and physical attack. These attacks are likely connected to the AWC's role in providing information allowing for the prosecution of a Nepali Army Colonel in the UK in 2013 and their role in the arrest of five Maoist cadres for the murder of a journalist. On 22 March 2013 a Joint Urgent Appeal on the matter was issued to Nepali authorities by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non- recurrence.

At least 32 Nepalese human rights activists, including nine women, were arrested on Wednesday in Kathmandu for staging anti-government protests. The protest was organised by the Human Rights and Peace Society, Nepal demanding the resignation of Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Adhikari for his alleged involvement in wide-body aircraft purchase corruption and fulfilment of demands of agitating senior surgeon Dr Govinda KC. According to a Parliamentary committee report, Rs. 4.5 billion loss was incurred while purchasing two airbuses for state-owned Nepal Airlines and Tourism Minister Adhikari had allegedly made a false statement on the issue in his explanation to the Parliamentary committee. Dr KC has been staging fast unto death for the past 20 days demanding sweeping reforms in the medical sector but the government last week passed a medical bill through a majority vote in the Parliament without addressing his demands. Those arrested include senior human rights activist Krishna Pahadi, president of the society Uttam Pudasaini, and central member Gita Timilsina. They were carrying placards with the slogans 'Address demands of agitating doctor KC', 'Take action against those involved in aircraft purchase deal', 'Sack Tourism Minister Adhikari.'

On 30 January 2019, at least 32 Nepalese human rights activists, including nine women, were arrested on Wednesday in Kathmandu for staging anti-government protests.

Seventeen persons were arrested by Nepal Police while staging protest in support of senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC and his demand to make improvements in the medical system. Resident doctors, MBBS students and interns of TUTH were arrested by police while they were moving towards Sital Niwas. They were released in the evening after Nepal Medical Association and doctors appealed to the government to release them. President of National Resident Doctors' Association Dr Sumit Pandey said, "Among those arrested, seven are residents doctors, four interns and six MBBS students," he said, adding, "Some of the doctors were to attend an emergency surgery today." In the same way, despite Nepal Medical Association's decision to halt all services, except emergency, the hospital provided services to patients. TUTH Director Dr Prem Krishna Khadga said the hospital provided regular health services to the patients. "Today only 1,405 patients received health services from the hospital. Yesterday, 1,397 patients had received services," he added. Meanwhile, issuing a press statement, the Ministry of Health and Population has warned that it would take action against doctors involved in the protest. On January 27, Nepal Medical Association had announced that it would stage relay hunger strike throughout the country demanding that the government meet Dr KC's demands related to medical education.

On 29 January 2019, 50 members of congress were detained for staging a protest in front of the Prime Minister's official residence to express solidarity with Dr KC. On 30 January 2019 at least 32 Nepalese human rights activists, including nine women, were arrested in Kathmandu for staging anti-government protests.

Police intervened in a peaceful protest seeking justice for Nirmala Panta and arrested 12 activists for pasting posters on utility poles in Maitighar today. The demonstrators were pasting posters featuring Nirmala, a 13-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Kanchanpur district on July 26, demanding that the government bring to book the culprit(s). While the peaceful protest was under way, armed cops arrived and arrested activists, including eight women, at around 3:00pm. Police also confiscated and tore up the posters. The arrested protesters were forced into a police van and taken to Metropolitan Police Circle, Singha Durbar, before their release in the evening, said Pritam Subedi, one of the protesters. According to him, women cops roughed up two activists. "If the government can place posters with huge photos of the prime minister in Kathmandu, why are we not allowed to display Nirmala's images in a democracy where no one is above the law and everyone has the right to peaceful protest?" asked Subedi. Deputy Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati at Metropolitan Police Range, Teku, told THT that activists were released after "counselling'. He claimed that they pledged to shun protest programmes seeking justice for Nirmala. "We also briefed the protesters about police bid to lead the criminal investigation to a pragmatic end and arrest the culprit(s)," he said without elaborating on the progress the security agency had made in over four months since the heinous crime. DSP Bogati claimed that the activists posed a threat to security arrangements made for the Asia Pacific Summit being held in Kathmandu. Over 6,000 cops, both in uniform and civvies, have been deployed for "foolproof' security of foreign delegates. The police oppression sparked widespread criticism of the government on social networking sites. Bishodip took to Twitter to castigate the government and wrote, "Has the Constitution of Nepal allowed only the government to display its posters?" Syaandai, another twitteratti, posted, "Government, has the freedom of expression really ceased to exist? Can't we raise our voice for justice?" Lobangi Arajaktabadi tweeted, "Under which law the government displayed posters of the prime minister and obstructed citizens from putting up posters of Nirmala? Why such dadagiri?"

On 30 November 2018, 12 activists were obstructed from protesting as they called for justice for Nirmala Panta

The Nepal authorities must immediately and unconditionally release members and supporters of Amnesty International Nepal who were detained after protesting outside the Indian embassy this morning, Amnesty International said today. At least 30 people - including members of the board of Amnesty International Nepal, staff, and supporters - were detained while protesting against the Indian government's crackdown on civil society, including raids on the offices of Amnesty International India and attempts to shut down its campaigning in the country. "We demand that our colleagues are released immediately and unconditionally. The Nepal authorities have displayed the very same repressive tactics Amnesty International supporters were protesting against. They were there to express their solidarity with our colleagues in India and to call on the Indian government to end its crackdown on human rights. Violating their right to freedom of peaceful assembly, the Nepal authorities are showing that human rights are also at risk in Nepal," said Biraj Patnaik, South Asia Director at Amnesty International. Background The Amnesty International movement globally is calling on the Indian government to end its crackdown on human rights. On 25 October, Amnesty International India became the latest target of the government's assault on civil society when the organization's offices in Bengaluru were raided by the Enforcement Directorate, an agency that looks into financial crimes. Amnesty International India's bank accounts were frozen. Subsequently, the Ministry of Home Affairs also raided the Amnesty International India offices. Coming on the heels of similar actions against Greenpeace India earlier in October, heavy-handed methods are being used to further shrink civic space and stop the vital human rights and climate change campaigning work of the two organizations.

On 30 November 2018, Amnesty International Nepal Chairperson Bikram Dhukuchhu and General Secretary Karna Bahadur Kunwal were among two of thirty, to be detained for organising a demonstration in relation with a human rights violation case in India.

Ram Manohar Yadav, a Free Madhes activist arrested in Gulariya, Bardiya 12 days ago for showing black flags to Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Upendra Yadav, died in police custody on Saturday morning. The incident came to light following a controversy surrounding his death. Yadav, a supporter of the movement led by CK Raut who was brought to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj for treatment, was admitted to the emergency ward of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital at 2:15am, moments before he was pronounced dead. Deepak Paasi, Yadav's neighbour who accompanied Yadav in the ambulance along with two policemen and a medical officer, said he died on the way to Kathmandu. "When I touched him on the way, his body had turned cold already," said Paasi, a resident of Janaki Rural Municipality in Banke district. "I had asked the medical officer to see if Yadav was alive but the officer said he did not have[necessary] equipment. When we reached the hospital, they took him to the emergency ward. He was declared dead soon afterwards," Paasi told the Post. Yadav was detained on August 23, along with three other CK Raut supporters-Harpal Singh, Irfan Sheikh and Ranjit Ram Verma. After detaining them, the Bardiya District Police filed treason charges against all four in the Bardiya District Court. On the morning of August 30, Yadav had collapsed inside the cell. Police then admitted him to the Bardiya District Hospital in Gulariya, less than 200 metres away from the police station. According to Dr Supriya Paudyal, who was involved in his treatment, Yadav was referred to Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepalgunj after he showed signs of paralysis. "He couldn't speak clearly when he was brought here. Considering that he could be paralysed any time and we lacked equipment, we referred the case to Nepalgunj hospital," said Dr Paudyal. Yadav was admitted to Nepalgunj Nursing Home as the zonal hospital had no facilities for intensive care. According to Dr Raman Kidavi, assistant director at the nursing home, Yadav was unconscious and had high fever when he was brought there. "We suggested taking him to Kathmandu for further treatment because his body temperature was 108F and he was lying unconscious," Dr Kidavi told the Post. Bardiya Police chief SP Surendra Mainali said Yadav was sent to Kathmandu shortly afterwards on an ambulance with supplementary oxygen. According to SP Mainali, Yadav died in Maharajgunj on Saturday morning. Alliance for Independent Madhes Spokesperson Abdul Khan claimed that Yadav died en route to the Capital, blaming police negligence for the death. "He had high blood pressure, which got worse in custody due to mental harassment. Before collapsing at the police station, he had asked for medicine for headache but no one gave it to him. He was taken to hospital more than an hour after he had collapsed," Khan told the Post, adding that the police had not allowed anyone to meet them. SP Mainali dismissed allegations that visitors were barred from meeting the detainees. Yadav's death has stirred up a controversy. Human rights activists and civil society members have slammed the government over the death in detention, calling it an act of extra-judicial killing. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has launched an investigation into the death and the condition of other detainees. A group of activists also submitted a memorandum to NHRC Chairperson Anup Raj Sharma seeking independent investigation into the matter, punishment for the guilty and compensation for the victim's family. The NHRC asked the government to guarantee the right to life by ensuring immediate medical examination of detainees and arranging for effective medical treatment if they fall sick in custody.

On 1 September 2018, Ram Manohar Yadav, a Free Madhes activist arrested in Gulariya, Bardiya 12 days ago for showing black flags to Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Upendra Yadav, died in police custody.

KATHMANDU, Sept 12: Police have arrested a journalist on charge of character assassination after he posted a news report on an online platform. Editor of the vernacular Khojtalas Weekly and Khojtalasa.com Raju Basnet was arrested Monday morning from his residence in Lalitpur on the charge of publishing a news report on Khojtalas.com, the online portal of Khojtalas Weekly. The report had already been published in Dristi Weekly. The report exposed an attempt to transfer the ownership of land owned by Harisiddhi Brick Industries in Lalitpur to some private individuals, allegedly with the involvement of Maoist lawmaker Pampha Bhusal and some other leaders of the party. Police arrested Basnet following an order from Kathmandu District Court in response to a writ petition filed by one Sushil Khanal, alleging that Basnet had subjected him to character assassination through the report. The court has given permission to keep Basnet in judicial custody for four days. Metropolitan Police Range Office, Lalitpur said Basnet will be kept in judicial custody for the four days for further investigations. The media fraternity has taken strong exception to the arrest, calling it a move to harass journalists by invoking a cyber crime law provisioned under the Electronic Transaction Act. Media rights activists have expressed concern that such misuse of legal provisions could seriously undermine press freedom.

On 12 September 2018, Raju Basnet, journalist, was arrested on the charge of publishing a news report on Khojtalas.com, the online portal of Khojtalas Weekly.The report exposed an attempt to transfer the ownership of land owned by Harisiddhi Brick Industries in Lalitpur to some private individuals, allegedly with the involvement of Maoist lawmaker Pampha Bhusal and some other leaders of the party.

One teenage boy has been killed and dozens were injured in west Nepal when police opened fire on protesters demanding action over the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl, according to officials. Angry crowds took to the streets in the city of Mahendranagar on Friday, accusing police of protecting the person responsible for the brutal crime. Police officer Krishna Raj Ojha told AFP news agency on Saturday that 17-year-old Sani Khuna was killed after officers fired shots "to contain the violent protest". According to the Kathmandu Post, Khuna died while being taken to hospital for treatment. The publication said that several other protesters, as well as police personnel, were injured in the clashes. Police said an indefinite curfew has been imposed in the area, near the border with India's Uttarakhand state. Schoolgirl Nirmala Panta went missing in late July and her body was found the following day in a sugar-cane field. Anger boiled over after police arrested a man who reportedly has severe learning difficulties, and whom protesters say is a scapegoat allowing officers to shield the real culprit. The victim's family have also accused police of failing to take action over her death. "The state has not taken the cases of rape and violence against women seriously," women's rights activist Hima Bista told AFP. "Protection is being provided to the rape-accused time and again," she added. Further rallies are planned for Saturday across Nepal. In the capital, Kathmandu, around 1,500 people staged a silent protest under a heavy police presence, AFP reported. The hashtags #RageAgainstRape and #JusticeForNirmala were also trending on Twitter. "The so-called democratic government couldn't give justice to the rape and murder victim instead they killed an innocent boy," Twitter user Sunel GC posted. There were 1,480 reported rapes in Nepal last year, according to recently released police data, almost double the number reported in 2016. Activists say the rise is due to more women reporting violence to the police, but also say many more still go unreported in deeply patriarchal Nepal.

On 24 August 2018, dozens of protesters were injured and one died, after police fired at them during their demonstration.

Yet again, journalists exposing irregularities relating to contractor and government officials have been attacked. Senior journalists Chhabilal Tiwari and Om Prakash Ghayal were attacked by a contractor on August 9 in Parbat, a district in Province 4 of Nepal. Journalist Ghayal is the station manager at Radio Saligram and Journalist Tiwari is associated with the Nagarik daily. According to the Freedom Forum's representative for Province 4 Rajan Upadhaya, journalists Tiwari and Ghayal were attacked by the local contractor Puskal Sharma and his team at Chhamarke of Kushma-4 in the evening. Both the journalists were assaulted while returning back from the caf_. The drunken contractor not only thrashed them but also abused verbally. He also tore Ghayal's clothes injuring him. Earlier, both journalists had exposed irregularities relating to the contractors and government officials. Representative Upadhaya further reported that Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Bhuwaneswar Tiwari of Kushma also condemned the attack and said that he was informed through telephone about the incident in the evening and he immediately ordered the Inspector for further investigation. Both the journalists also filed an FIR in the District Administration Office, Parbat. With the federalism in place, the local levels have been empowered with huge budget and authorities to propel the development activities. But the irregularities on the development activities are fueled by undue contract involving the government officials. These are obviously the stories for journalists to investigate and bring the facts to light. But, the growing hostility to the media for reporting corruption and irregularities is taking toll on press freedom. Freedom Forum therefore vehemently condemns the attack on the journalists and demands urgent action from the authorities to book the attackers. It is the sheer violation of press freedom and freedom of information. Such activities not only discourage free reporting but also contribute to self-censorship, which is against the media freedom and professionalism.

On 9 August 2018, Chhabilal Tiwari and Om Prakash Ghayal, senior journalists known to ad expose irregularities relating to the contractors and government officials, were attacked by a contractor.

Yet again due to security officials intimidation, five journalists were injured in an attack while covering news of a demonstration launched by Nepal Congress youth wing Tarun Dal in the capital on July 21. Kathmandu lies in Province 3. As per FF's representative for province 3 Ashok Dahal, , five journalist namely Ajay Babu Siwakoti, Chief Editor of hamrakura.com and General Secretary of Nepal Press Union, Maheshwar Gautam affiliated to Rajdhani Daily, Nibesh Kumar affiliated to New 24, Skanda Gautam and Praveen Maharjan affiliated to The Himalayan Times were severely injured after security officials attacked them in the protest against the government. Police fired 23 rounds of teargas shells at a rally organized by Tarun Dal, youth wing of main opposition Nepali Congress and baton charged journalists. All injured journalists are under treatment in Civil Hospital, Baneshwor. Freedom Forum condemns the intimidation against the journalist and urges the government to stop such actions that obstructs journalist's right to free reporting. Attacking journos physically and inflicting injuries is the sheer violation of press freedom. The police intervention against journalists is a serious threat to free press and freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution. FF urges the concerned authority to take action against the attackers and respect press freedom.

On 21 July 2018, 5 journalists were physically assaulted by police as they were covering a protest.

Police today arrested 25 human right activists who were preparing to stage a sit-in at Singha Durbar southern gate this afternoon. Those arrested include founder chair of Human Rights and Peace Society Nepal Krishna Pahadi and chair Gangadhar Adhikari. A group of around 50 activists who were marching towards the gate were arrested by police within less than five minutes of their arrival. While half of them were arrested, other half were scattered from the site. The activists said they were preparing to stage a peaceful protest against the government's decision to prohibit public from staging protests at Maitighar Mandala and other places in Kathmandu. They have also criticised the government for turning a deaf ear to the demands of Ganga Maya Adhikari and Dr Govinda KC. Adhikari has been staging hunger strike for the past 43 days demanding punishment for those involved in the extra-judicial killing of her son during the Maoist insurgency. Likewise, Dr KC is on hunger strike for the past 10 days demanding that the government incorporate recommendations of the Kedar Bhakta Mathema led commission in the medical education bill. Talking to The Himalayan Times Pahadi said, "This government has given a clear indication that it is headed towards imposing an authoritarian rule by seizing the freedom of expression." Pahadi further said that the government was becoming an "unbridled horse' filled with the pride of its two-thirds majority in the Parliament. He also said that they will stage protests on July 14 and July 16. HURPES is a voluntary organisation which was established in 2053 with the aim of promoting human rights.

On 10 July 2018, 25 HRDs who were preparing to stage a sit-in at Singha Durbar southern gate were arrested.